Food for thought: Genetically engineered crops, GMOs and the need to know what we're eating

Saturday

Jan 19, 2013 at 12:07 AM

SOURCE: FARM AID, WWW.FARMAID.ORG

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are created when DNA from one species is injected into another. Seeds and plants created with GMOs are resistant to certain insects and pesticides and better tolerate environments where they might otherwise struggle to thrive. Ninety percent of all genetically engineered (GE) crops are designed to resist the direct spraying of Monsanto's toxic weed killer, Roundup. (Monsanto is the world's leading seed company.) Experts have calculated that in our country about 85 percent of the soybeans, corn, sugar beets and canola are grown from GMO seeds. (GMOs are also contained in other genetically modified crops, such as summer squash and Papaya grown in Hawaii.) Although studies have thus far concluded that the consumption of genetically engineered food is safe, many experts believe there to be a link between GMOs and certain health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and autoimmune disorders. In addition, GE farming poses special risks for organic farmers who choose to raise crops free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Organic farms can be contaminated by nearby GE farms through wind drift and insect pollination.

And, as far as America's packaged foods go - 80 percent of them contain GMOs too. Those concerned with the effects of GE foods have become increasingly aware of the insidious proliferation of GMOs in our food source. We know GMOs are here, but exactly where is hard to know. Despite GE foods having been on the market for nearly two decades and 90 percent of Americans reporting they want GMO labeling, there still are no laws requiring labeling on raw or processed foods that are made from plants or animals that have been genetically altered.

If you want to be sure the food you are buying does not contain GMOs, select USDA Organic, or Non-GMO Project verified items whenever possible. Just this past November, California's Proposition 37, an initiative calling for the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food, was defeated by a narrow margin of 51.5 percent against labeling and 48.5 percent in favor. Although some feel the proposition failed, in part, due to its "message," others strongly argue the loss was all about the money spent on the campaign. While those in favor of the initiative - company's like Amy's Kitchen (the country's leading natural frozen food brand and Cropp Cooperative (Organic Valley) - were able to raise $8,700,00, those opposed, corporation giants such as Monsanto, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., PepsiCo, Kraft Foods Global, Nestlé USA, ConAgra Foods, General Mills and Dean Foods to name just a few, contributed a whopping $45.6 million.

Where folks in favor of GMO labeling in California lost the battle in 2012, advocates of labeling will have another chance in Washington State with Initiative 522 (I-522). Whether adopted by the legislature, or passed by voters on the November 2013 ballot, should I-522 garner a "yes" vote, Washington would be the very first state to require labels on any food products that contain genetically modified ingredients. Fifty countries around the world already require labeling for genetically engineered foods. Many more ban genetically engineered foods altogether due to the lack of testing and long-term study of human health and environmental effects. The issue is important, far-reaching and just too important to ignore.

2. Familiarize yourself with those foodstuffs known to contain GMOs. In this country, 85 percent of the soybeans, corn, sugar beets and canola are grown from GMO seeds. (GMOs are also contained in other genetically modified crops, such as summer squash and Papaya grown in Hawaii.) Also, products derived from GM crops, including oils, soy protein, soy lecithin, soy sauce, cornstarch, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, among others, will contain GMOs. GMOs can turn up in unexpected places, even in children's vitamins.

3. Keep in mind that non-organic cows that ingest GE feed will produce milk with GMOs, as will cows that have been injected with rbGH (a GM growth hormone). The same holds true for livestock and poultry, with meat and eggs also containing GMOs.

4. Check PLU (produce look-up) codes. (These are the number stickers on produce.) Organic produce stickers have five digits, beginning with the number nine; conventional produce stickers, four digits and genetically modified stickers starts with the number 8, followed by four digits. (It is not mandatory to label GE produce, so you probably won't ever see one of these unless you come across a papaya grown in Hawaii.)

5. Support organizations, such as The Non-GMO Project, who have made it their mission to "preserve and build sources of non-GMO products, educate consumers and provide verified non-GMO choices." (The Non-GMO Project, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, offers North America's only third party verification and labeling for non-GMO [genetically modified organism] food and products.)

6. Seek out good food, learn where it comes from and how it's grown.

7. Learn what those certified and non-certified food labels mean. Farm Aid's website at www.farmaid.org shares this: "There are many different food labels that contain information about how food was grown or processed. However, some labels can be misleading. Below are examples of labels to look for and ask questions about at the store or market where you see them." - Farm Aid

Kitchen Ade note: For a look at a more extensive list of labels, visit the Farm Aid website at www.farmaid.org.

ORGANIC

USDA's National Organic Program regulates labeling requirements for organic agricultural products. Organic labels can be found on produce, dairy, meat, processed foods, condiments and beverages. Food products labeled "organic" must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients with no synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, biotechnology, synthetic ingredients or irradiation used in production or processing. Products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and are produced without synthetic methods are labeled "made with organic ingredients," though they cannot use the USDA organic seal on their packaging.

CERTIFIED NATURALLY GROWN

This label denotes the food was grown using the same standards as those for organic, but not on a farm actually certified by the National Organic Program of the USDA. Some farmers have criticized the cost and process they need to go through to participate in the USDA's organic program, so this is an alternative, non-governmental certification system where other farmers act as inspectors in a program administered by a non-profit organization called Certified Naturally Grown. "Natural" is a term present on a lot on food products (some of which you'd hardly call natural at all), so look closely at the label. The Certified Naturally Grown label indicates that someone is certifying that it is indeed natural, rather than just using the word "Natural" for marketing purposes.

FAIR TRADE

Fair trade standards are enforced by the Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) (in the U.S. by Fair Trade USA). Fair trade products must be produced in accordance with the following guidelines: Workers must receive fair wages, safe and equitable working conditions and the right to join trade unions; child or forced labor is completely prohibited. Crops must also be grown, produced and processed in a manner that supports social development, economic development and environmental development. Fair trade standards have been established for coffee, tea, cocoa, honey, bananas, juices, cotton, flowers, gold, rice, spices and herbs, sports balls, wine, composite products, fresh fruit and sugar.

NON-GMO PROJECT VERIFIED

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization that provides the only third-party labeling program in North America for products grown without using genetic engineering. They verify that the process products go through, from seed to shelf, are produced according to their rigorous best practices for GMO avoidance.

GRASSFED

USDA has a grass fed standard for ruminant animals like cows and goats, which states that these animals must be fed only grass and forage during the growing season. The American Grassfed Association is one organization that certifies beef, bison, dairy, lamb and goat that is fed only on pasture, in addition to being raised without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, confinement and with standards for high animal welfare. Other animals, like chicken and pigs can be pasture-raised (and USDA organic standards require at least some access to pasture), but there are currently no specific certification standards for non-ruminant animals being grass fed or pastured.

NON-CERTIFIED LABELS

The following labels depend on farmer and processor information to support the claim that the food products were raised in compliance with each set of standards. However, they are not certified or tested by any third party regulatory agency:

HORMONE-FREE/RBGH-FREE

This label means that the farmer has chosen not to inject his or her cows with any artificial growth hormones, like rBGH, a genetically engineered growth hormone. The label is also used on beef and chicken products, where the animal was raised without growth hormones or steroids. However, the USDA prohibits giving hormones to chickens, so the label doesn't mean much there - all chicken you buy will be hormone-free whether it's labeled or not.

RAISED WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS

Chickens, pigs, and cattle raised on industrial farms are routinely fed low doses of antibiotics (the same drugs we rely on to keep ourselves and our families in good health) to make them grow faster and compensate for overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions. This label states the meat or dairy was raised without the use of antibiotics.

GE-FREE/NON-GMO

There are no federal regulations on labeling of food products containing genetically engineered (GE) ingredients or genetically modified organisms (GMOs); however, there are many companies that have taken the initiative to label their products as GE-Free or Non-GMO to protect consumers. Food products that use GE-Free or Non-GMO labels are regulated by individual companies and organizations and establish varying degrees of GMO allowance in their products, ranging from 100 percent GE-Free to trace levels of GMOs allowed in products. Often, the companies require certification or affidavits from farmers that the materials were not genetically modified in any way.

The following are not certified or tested by any third party regulatory agency and do not have a set of standards to which they adhere, so you should ask questions to learn more for each specific product:

ALL NATURAL

While many products have "all natural" labeling or packaging, there is no universal standard or definition for this claim.

FREE-RANGE

Free-range poultry is defined as birds that spend part of their time outside (whether that's 10 minutes per month or 10 hours per day) and don't live in cages. However, the USDA doesn't have a legal definition of free-range chicken eggs and there are also no standardized or regulated definitions for free-range beef or pork.

Sue Ade, a Lowcountry resident since 1985, is a gourmet baker and collector of vintage cooking utensils and cookbooks. She can be reached at kitchenade@yahoo.com or 683-0375.